Cataracts are very common as you age, and in fact, more than half of Americans over age 80 have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Thankfully, the ophthalmologists at Pacific Eye in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria, have the expertise and technology to correct cataracts, helping men and women to see more clearly again. To learn about your options in cataract treatments, call Pacific Eye or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.
A cataract is a clouding and thickening of your lens that usually develops with age. Your lens is primarily made up of protein and water, and when the protein is spread out evenly you’re able to see clearly. With time, however, the protein may start to clump together, which can block or distort the light that comes through your lens.
Cataracts aren’t dangerous, but if left untreated they can progressively hamper your ability to see clearly.
Your surgeon replaces your cloudy lens with a monofocal IOL to restore basic focus to your eye, but you usually still rely on glasses for reading and close-up work.
In this surgery, your ophthalmologist not only replaces your lens and restores your vision, but also correct any significant refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) to reduce or eliminate your dependence on corrective lenses. The latest generation of advanced multifocal lenses that enable you to focus at more than one distance and light adjustable lenses (LALs) which enable the visual to be customized with special light treatments following the surgery.
If you have astigmatism, this type of surgery replaces the cloudy natural lens with advanced toric IOLs to dramatically reduce your eyeglass prescription after surgery, enabling you to see at distance better. You have the option of eliminating glasses for all distances by undergoing custom cataract surgery followed by IntraLaseⓇ LASIK laser eye surgery.
Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, planning, and care
LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
Toric lens technology (if necessary for astigmatism)
Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, additional monovision testing, planning and care
LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
Toric lens technology (if necessary for astigmatism)
Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, additional monovision testing, planning and care
LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
Multifocal or Accommodating lens technology
TECNIS Symfony IOL technology – the newest lens technology that offers a full range of quality vision and corrects astigmatism
Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
The ophthalmologists at Pacific Eye have a number of tools in their cataract treatment arsenal, but the first order of business is to replace your lens with a synthetic one. Called an intraocular lens (IOL), these lenses come in many different varieties to suit your vision needs, including:
These lenses correct vision only at one portion of your visual range, usually distance.
The specialists at Pacific Eye use brands such as AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR®, ReZoom™, and Tecnis® to correct a full range of vision issues, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and problems in between, for a return to your natural, youthful vision.
An intraocular lens such as the Crystalens® can flex or accommodate, using your eye’s natural muscles to focus on subjects at various distances, delivering a continuous range of vision. They can even correct age-related presbyopia, helping patients see at close range.
These intraocular lenses are designed for people with astigmatism.
Once your procedure is complete, a bandage will be placed over the eye and you’ll stay in recovery for a little while for monitoring. Be sure to arrange to have someone drive you home. For a few days after surgery, you may experience mild itching or discomfort. Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help prevent infection and speed healing. Your eye will be completely healed in about eight weeks.
Pacific Eye Surgeons has offices in San Luis Obispo, Lompoc, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, Orcutt, and Santa Maria, California, as well as Optical Concepts in Santa Maria.
